As the MotoGP paddock gears up for the thrilling Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez, the atmosphere is electric with anticipation. During Thursday’s Media Day press conference, top riders and team officials shared their thoughts on the weekend ahead, their expectations, and a few emotional moments that set the tone for this Grand Prix.

Marc Marquez

For Marc Marquez, racing in front of a home crowd is always special—but he remains grounded. “Of course, Jerez is special for Spanish riders,” he said. “It’s sold out, which is amazing for the sport, but at the end of the day, it’s another race we need to approach with focus and strategy.” Marc acknowledged the strong competition this season, especially from Pecco Bagnaia, last year’s winner at this track. “We’re coming in with good form, but we need to control our energy and stay sharp.”

Álex Marquez

Younger brother Álex Marquez was asked about what a podium would mean after his recent birthday. “It would be a perfect gift,” he smiled, “but first, we need to start the weekend strong. Jerez is different from the other tracks this season, so we’re ready to give it our all. It’s super special for us, but we have to stay calm and avoid mistakes.”

Francesco Bagnaia

Pecco Bagnaia, fresh off solid performances, expressed his love for Jerez. “The start of the European season is always exciting. I really like this track—it suits our bike well.” Reflecting on his epic battles here, especially with Marc, Pecco said, “This year will be different. The competition has evolved, and it’s going to be tougher.”

Franco Morbidelli

Franco Morbidelli spoke with optimism about both the track and his team's progression. “For many riders, this is a home race, and it’s going to be a great weekend. We’ve started the season strong, improving step by step.” He recalled the thrill of leading in Qatar but emphasized the importance of staying focused. “We’ll see where we end up.”

Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola: Martin’s Health Takes Priority

Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola provided an update on Jorge Martin’s condition following his injury. “He will fly to Madrid for checks at an international hospital,” Rivola confirmed. “There’s no clear recovery timeline yet—we’ll wait and see how he feels after the flight.” On speculation that Martin should take half the season off, Rivola remained optimistic: “He healed faster than expected before. Let’s not rule anything out.”

Augusto Fernández: Yamaha V4 Test

Augusto Fernández shared insights into Yamaha’s recent V4 engine test in Valencia. “It was a positive step,” he said. “It’s early, but the team is working hard. There’s a lot to develop, and the next test is coming up next month. I’m excited about what’s ahead.”

Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins, Jack Miller on the V4 Project

While not directly involved in testing, Fabio Quartararo kept tight-lipped: “I can’t say much, but the feedback was good.” Alex Rins echoed the sentiment: “The test went well. We’ll have more testing on Monday after the race weekend.” Jack Miller, who didn’t dive deep into the results, added, “The boys gave good feedback—it looks promising.”

Aleix Espargaró: Return with Honda

Aleix Espargaró, returning after a brief retirement, expressed both excitement and nerves. “It feels good to be back, especially with Honda—one of the biggest names in MotoGP.” He mentioned the bike will feature different colors for the race and that he’s taking things one day at a time. “No big goals right now—I just want to feel good on the bike and build from there.”